I have a boxer with thin coat so she has to stay inside. But I'm gone from home 8-10 hours/day.

Does anyone know of a product that is big enough where she would have one part to play/lay in and the other part to go potty? The two parts would have to be distinct in some way so the dog would know the difference (I'm guessing).

Is this a bad idea? I can't let her potty in my kitchen all day, its getting rather sickening.

Let me know if you have any "do it yourself" ideas or any stores in mind.

(This might be a stupid question, but this is my first dog and I don't want to do anything wrong)

Thanks,

Steve

Welcome to the forum Steve :-)

Is there no way you could build her an outside kennel and covered run? You could make the kennel building very snug and if you added a heat lamp, then she would have the best of both worlds: Free access to the outside and a nice warm bed if she was feeling a bit chilly :D

Have you tried this before?

If it is effective and will keep my puppy happy then I'm willing, but if she feels sad that she is outside all day, I would hate myself for doing it.

The other problem is that my doggy trainer says my puppy is too young to go potty outside on her own, without being rewarded, and that she will learn bad habits, etc. Otherwise I would say forget a kennel and give my dog a doggy door. Thats why I'm doing this now.

I figure I have the following options:
1) Dog walker. [expensive]
2) Doggy day care. [expensive]
3) Indoor kennel run. [one-time expense]
4) Doggy door. [one-time expense]

Please provide some thoughts on the above options and any resources where I might obtain them. [Keep in mind I just graduated from college and have limited funds.]

Steve

>> Have you tried this before?

Yes Steve, my dogs (GSPs, so their coat is the same consistancy as a boxer) are kenneled and live in the house too :-)

BUT I would never advise anyone too, or dream of kenneling a puppy this young and I also would never consider leaving it alone for four hours let alone the amount of time you are. Unfortunately, I hadn't read any of your previous posts before I replied to you (thanx Daz). Puppies need companionship, regular food and to socialize, if you want to own a fit and emotionally stable dog :-)

Why did you get a puppy in the first place knowing that it would be left alone for such long periods of time? I understand you have to work .. don't we all :-) But we all make provisions for the care of our dogs if we are going to be away from them for this long, especially puppies :-)

How do you intend to house train your puppy when you are never there to show it right from wrong? How do you expect it to learn unless you are there to teach it?

I think you need to get your priorites right. You are concerned about house training but really you need to consider the general well being of your dog. What you put in NOW determines the character and type of dog you end up with.

You need to address the problem of how long this baby is left for as a TOP proirity and either you need to get back to your puppy during your lunch break or find someone who is prepared to go in and spend a little while feeding and playing with it. Once you have arranged this, then you will have a solid base to start addressing the other issues.

This will undoubtably, not be what you want to hear, but I feel it needs to be said in the interests of your puppy.

Doing alot of reading even in books it says if you work ex. 9 to 5, you should have someone come in and play with your pup through out the day and let them out to go to the bathroom/feed ( Make sure you at least give an hour of time with your pup in the morning. Keeping a pup isolated for 7 to 10 hrs straight will lead to problems). As the dog gets older you will be able to do this less and less. My dogs are home by themselves now from 8:30 to almost 4:00, and I have 5 of them. Only 2 are kenneled when we are gone (inside vari Kennel), the other 3 run around. When they were younger and I went out I had paper at one end and play sleep area at the other end. I also free feed mine and still do, but have been doing this since I have had them, they never over eat, food is put down at 5:30 am and picked up at 8 or 9pm, they are not over weight just right, but not everyone can do this or should, it does make house training harder. It is really hard to house train a pup if you are not their, and they will learn bad habits. Now you have this pup and I believe pups/animals are for life. Please have someone come in and help you out with your pup it will take about a year to fully house train, but worth it in the end at least the little one will be housetrained and socialized. Sure in the beginning you will need someone their pretty much all day, basicaly they will be the ones house training, feeding, and socializing ur pup. Dogs are very socailable animals and if this need isn't fulfilled u will have a problem dog (not housetrained, barking, biting, aggression, fear, hyperactivity, chewing, seperation anxiety, and the list can go on), the people on this board are not trying to be mean they are just letting you know what can happen as your pup grows up, and to prevent it from happening. I really suggets finding someone to come in and dog sit, until the little one is older. Like I said eventually they won't need to be their all day and then not at all, by then your pup will be a well behaved adult. Good luck

....I think we are talking to a closed door!

Before I say anymore Steve, please don't think I am having a go at you BUT.....

If as I saw from your other thread your pup is only 14 weeks old. How is she being fed whilst you are away from home for 8-10 hours a day and how do you ever expect to housetrain her if she is left for that length of time. Apuppy of that age cannot hold her bladder or bowels for that length of time!

I agree with Leigh your only option is to build a snug outside kennel and run otherwise you are going to have more and more problems as your pup gets older, boredom will set in and you will end up with your house possibly being destroyed.

All puppies need companionship and you are putting her into solitary confinement for 8-10 hours per day with her being able to see anything at all except 4 walls.

Sorry but this is a very sore point with me at the moment, having just heard that this has happened to a pup sired by one of my dogs and he has ended up being pts because of irrepairable behavioural problems.

Regards

Jayne

I understand your concern. And I'm concerned myself, hence my post. I'm looking to this forum for the best solution and then I'll act on it.

But please don't feel sorry for my dog, in no way is she mistreated:
I feed her twice/day - before work and after work. If I work from home 3 times/day.
No need to hold her bladder during the day she has her own room to romp around in. Pees on one side, plays on the other (sort of).
In terms of damage, its mostly just the pee that is annoying. Since its her own room there is nothing but her, the hard wood floors, and her toys.
I work from home 1-2 days out the week, but thats the best I can do. I can't very well stop going to work.

So since I'm not going to quit my job......I'm trying to come up with the best solution to keep her happy and not ruin my floors in the process. So an indoor run sounded best. Putting her outside sounds, in my opinion, kind of harsh. Her coat is thin, she's only a boxer not a husky. And sometimes passer-bys can be mean and dog theifs are normal in Wash, DC USA :(. And pet walking/day care can be expensive; Doggy doors aren't that safe in Washington, DC USA :( . I'm stumped. Any feedback for the future would be great as opposed to criticism of the past.

I am sorry if you thought this was criticism.

But it is your pup I feel sorry for. Twice a day feeding at 8-10 intervals is not enough for a 14 week old puppy. I will repeat what I said in my first post she will never be housetrained if you cannot be there to take her outside on a regular basis as she is being taught to pee indoors!!! and again repeating myself I feel it is very cruel to subject any 14 week old pup to solitary confinement in four walls for 8-10 hours per day.

Maybe you should have thought about these problems before getting your pup in the first place. I agree you cannot give up work, but surely you could get someone to call in and take your dog outside and feed her once during the day at least.

You say that someday you feed her twice and somedays 3 times, this is not good for the pup they need regular mealtimes.

Sorry but the only solution I can come up with for the future is to find a really good home and re-home her before she becomes a liability.

wow. you're funny. thanks for nothing.

No Steve I'm not funny only a very concerned dog breeder and lover.

Regards

Jayne

Just been reading this thread, cant really believe what Ive read!!! Would you leave a human baby on its own for that long? How is the little pup ever going to get house trained or properly socialised being left for that length of time. Did you tell your pups breeder about your work schedule? I bet not, or else you lied, as no reputable breeder would of sold you a pup, especially a boisterous breed like a boxer, who if anything needs extra training and attention.
How come you are concerned about him living outside, but are not concerned with leaving him alone for such long periods of time? Boxers can suffer from stomach problems and you leaving such big gaps between his meals will do him no good at all. Did you not consider all these factors before you bought a pup.? Obviously not!!!! I agree with Lady Dazzle, if you have any true love for this pup at all, find him a home where he can have company and training, and not be on his own for such a long time. If you were ill and at home all day on your own, shut away for 8-10 hours day after day, how would you feel? If you are totally set on keeping him (before he gets big enough to start chewing your house up through boredom of course) get an outside kennel and run built so he can at least hear and see things. It can be insulated and with warm bedding, and a coat if neccessary in the cold weather, he will be OK. Make sure he has loads of toys and things like a big Kong stuffed with treats. I just hope you see sense and find him a wonderful caring home.

I think you guys are pretty funny!

Working 8 hours is a fact of life that I not many people can avoid. Otherwise I won't have a home or dog. I don't know what you do for a living, but unfortunately I'm not a breeder who can sit at home all day with my dog. Sorry! But I think its great you guys have that luxury.

But I do thank you for the advice on a outdoor kennel and so much "concern." If my breeder agrees that with a doggy sweater and a heater she can take the cold that would be the best solution.

Thanks,

Steve.

Lets see, lets be kind and say you are ONLY at work and travelling to and from, for 8 hours a day, then lets be kind again and say you only have six hours sleep a night. Thats 14 hours out of twenty four that your pup has no contact with you at all(Or do you train and socialise in your sleep) Then start taking out home cleaning, shopping, going out socially , gardening etc, and what does that leave your pup? Not a lot. Its not even if he has any canine company either, not that Im suggesting you should get another pup!!!!!!! I am lucky to be at home all day now, but this wasnt always the case, I used to work full time and keep quite a few dogs too. If you want pets you have to be prepared to put yourself out. I used to work very close to home, (through choice) The dogs all went out before I went to work. I never had a lie in at the weekends. Id pop home in my teabreak to see them, come home at lunch time, take them all out as soon as I got in, and spent every evening with them. Weekends were exactly the same, I never went out and left them at the weekend, every spare minute of my time was theres.If you want/love your pup enough, you WILL find a way to give him more of your time and company. Nobody on this board thinks they are funny or clever, we just all care about dogs welfare, and I suggest you do the same!!!

Coming home at lunch IS FEASIBLE.
Finding a doggy walker IS FEASIBLE.
Doggy day care IS FEASIBLE.

But the first piece of advice I got on this forum was "rehome your dog," thats pretty sad!

If I'm not at work. I'm always with my dog. All my friends think I'm a nut because I only go to dog-friendly places now. They think I act too much like a parent. I take having a dog very seriously.

So I'll do the indoor run and just come home during luch. The solution that I had before I ever even knew of this site.

Thanks for nothing, again!

The first piece of advice you got was NOT to rehome your dog. If you reread these posts you'll see that it took a while for anyone even to notice. Either you want advice and suggestions or you don't !!! Seeing as you have got a new plan now based on the advice given, I reckon your "thanks for nothing" comment is pretty petulant actually.

Steve I don`t think you are taking this very seriously I can asure you no one is trying to be funny!
The fact of the matter is people who have to work full time should not begin to consider buying a puppy unless they have someone to help out at least until the puppy is grown and even then a daily solitary existance for a grown dog will not make for a happy one.
Regards Carole

Steve, and everyone lets try to start again. It IS possible to work full time and have a healthy happy dog. Many of us have done it at some point. But it isn't easy, and it requires a lot of effort and maybe financial outlay and a boxer pup isn't the easiest breed/age to do it with.

The first thing you've got to do is get your pup started on the road to house-training or you'll create a real rod for your own back. Even if you build an outside run, she may be very difficult to get clean in the house. Can you take some leave from work to make a start on that? Your breeder is your best source of advice on the suitability of an outside run, as (s)he will know the climate/risk of theft ect in Washington better than most of us.

Boxers tend to be boisterous and 8 - 10 hours is a long time to leave a puppy. You say that its possible for you to go home at lunch time, and I think you are going to have to do that if finances don't run to a dog walker or day care. Have you friends who could pop in when its impossible for you to get away and between times? It isn't just a matter of house training - an exuberant pup is likely to get bored and start destroying your house if its left alone too long. Day care may turn out cheaper in the end!

It wouldn't be a good idea to get another pup to keep her company, but would you consider adopting an older dog of a laid back breed that doesn't mind being left alone for longish periods (maybe a retired greyhound), and could you cope with it? Or a cat or kitten can make a good playmate for a dog/puppy. But if you take that route, it won't solve the training problem (may even make it harder), and you will have to take some time off to ensure that your pup and the companion animal are safe together. Even then you will have to make some arrangement to allow the companion to get away from puppy's attentions some of the time.

If you intend to continue with your pup indoors, urine will rot your floorboards as Christine says, and you'll never get rid of the smell completely (which will attract pups to perform in the same place next time) so can you cover the boards with lino until the puppy is house trained?

Whatever you do, you are going to have to put a lot of effort into training, playing with and socialising your pup when you are at home, and a boxer probably won't settle down to happily snooze it's days away for many years. In other words, if you want this puppy to be a success you are going have to sign much of your life, and probably a chunk of your bank balance away, otherwise she - and probably you - are going to be miserable.

You are obviously attached to the her, so please sit down and think through the personal and financial sacrifices it will take to make sure that she is trained and exercised enough, and that she has enough company and isn't left alone all day. If you can do it great. If not - and this is what the others are saying - you'd be better to let her go now while she is still young. Otherwise you will probably find yourself with a large unhappy, untrained, unclean, destructive, boisterous dog that is very difficult to re-home in the near future, and that won't be a good situation for either of you.

Hi Jayne,
i agree with you totally, some people just dont think of the pros and cons of owing a dog, as we all know it is a life time commitment
joanne

Hi Steve
You`ve got yourself in a right predicament and all because you didn`t do your homework,if you think
she is making a mess in your house now because you are not there to put her right,what do you think its going to be like when she is fully grown and still not house trained!!
Take the good advice you`ve been given for both your sakes,find her a loving home whilst she still young enough to adapt,and wait until you are in a better position before you take on the responsibility
of another puppy.
Regards Carole

Hi Steve

I really don't think there is any need to be rude to Philippa and Lady Dazzle just because they haven't told you what you wanted to hear. As a novice owner even I was horrified at the length of time you were going to be leaving your puppy. We were due to be getting a much wanted pup and the breed was no where near as bouncy as a boxer. But we have had to let her go to another home - purely because on 3 or 4 days in the month for the next 3 months I will have to be out of the house longer than usual, I tried getting out of it but it was a no go. Even then the hours were no where near what you are talking about.

I agree with the others may be she should be found another home now while she is still young enough and before her problems become too great. If you can't bring yourself to re-home your pup you really need to find a dog sitter to give you and your pup a fighting chance of being happy together. Yes I know it could be expensive but don't you think it would be money well spent - to have a nice happy contented well rounded dog?

"I cant let her potty in the kitchen all day, its getting rather sickening" what on earth do you expect the poor little soul to do? You try waiting for the loo for 10 hours! I suggest you stop being so selfish and think about the pup. I have reread all your postings this morning, and the whole thing shines through at what is best for YOU,what will make owning a pup easier for YOU, nowhere do I get the feeling you want what is best for the pup. I can understand your longing to have a dog, but you should have put those feelings aside, until your situation was more suitable. I am not going to post to you anymore, or Im afraid I shall tell you what I REALLY think of you!!!!!! I hope, somehow, that your pup turns into a nicely trained, well balanced dog, but I seriously doubt it.

It is pretty selfish to get a pup when you are out at work 8-10 hours a day (plus shopping/eating/housework/sleeping ).

Don't expect people who truly care for their dogs and mostly put their welfare first to applaude what you are doing - they won't so there is no point in throwing a tantrum about it.

If you truly want the best for your puppy then return it to the breeder (providing of course you have a caring breeder who cares where their pups are going) so it can find someone who has time for it and then, in a few years when you can arrange your life to fit comfortably and sensibly around a dog think again about getting one. Some of us have waited many years to get a dog until our lifestyle permitted it rather than getting one and then trying to fit a dog into our lifestyle.

Christine
Oh BTW - if your pup keeps wetting the floorboards not only will they smell they will rot.

Hello, Your probably not reading these messages anymore,but just in case you are.Have you any kids in the neighbourhood that you could trust to look in on your dog.One of my neighbours pays a young lad who lives on our road to go over to hers and let the dogs out and plays with them twice a day.She doesnt pay him that much,but hes saving up and loves doing it........Just a thought.Good luck Andrea.

Ive been reading this and is it only me that thinks it could be a wind up :)

No Mattie, you are not the only one, but then I but then I think of all those people who do buy pups and leave the on their own all day then kick them out when they have rearranged the house

Christine

just been reading this post me too thinks this could be a bad posting from someone! Well I hope it is becasue reading this person's string leaving a pup like this all day is just out of order and if this is a true posting, I think you need to take advise you have been given very good advise. :( Poor doggie!

This is a criticism, did you not think about the puppy before you took it into your home. If you can't provide the basic needs of a puppy perhaps you should consider re-homing. ja:)kie

Jackie I agree with you this is very upsetting to me knowing a pup is being treated like this? :(

I agree this just has to be a wind up! No one could be this naive and no one could be quite so bad mannered with people who are trying to held. If anything is said which the poster does not want to hear there is a silly reply at best.

John

John,
It's probably not a wind-up. The situation this individual is describing is too common in my experience :( I did stray animal collection in the DC Metropolitan area in addition to my other duties and I had acquaintances who worked in the several shelters where I turned the animals who would relate similar situations and much worse.

There's little that I can add to this thread. You're young, just out of college and completely certain of what you're doing. :rolleyes: I've been there too. But unfortunately love for an animal does not conquer all :(

Be sure to read some books on Boxers and their development. Talk to your breeder and the regional Boxer club. If you don't address your dog's emotional needs, you'll have more than just a rotted floor to come home to.
At 5-6 months old, your dog will go from sweet innocent puppy to unruly adolescent. It's pretty much normal development. The walls, furniture, and possessions will be affected by boredom and high spirits. If you haven't laid the foundation in proper training, it will be a disaster. Talk to the Boxer Rescue society if you don't believe me and ask how many Boxers are surrendered between 6-14 months old.
good luck,
toodles

PS, look into "Bonded" dog walkers and house sitters in the phone book/local ads. It's your best solution for socializing and some needed company for your puppy. Holding the bladder/bowels all day is unrealistic.
Or you could drop your dog off at "daycare" offered by some vets and boarding kennels.
As for the money, well...... purchase price of a puppy is only the beginning of paying out :) :D :) The rest of his life will not be free -- between vets, food, toys, etc... you're looking around $3,500 - 6,000 in the next 12-14 years, depending :rolleyes: All part of having a pet. ;)

You could be right Toodles, I missed the "DC" but that would explain the stairs. I do hate seeing silly replies when people have tried to help though, it rather puts my back up.

Regards, John

For what it is worth I agree with you Sara :-)

I have a 8 week old pup and other dogs I have gave my job uo to look after them all day :) and I would never leave them for that long in fact I will not even pop to the local shopin the day time as the pup cries if I leave the room I have to wait for my boyfriend to come back from work so one of us can go out. I even feel guilty when doing the housework as I am not paying attention to the pup but hey thats real love and commitment for you

>>but hey thats real love and commitment for you

No it's not Heidi, that's making a rod for your own back :rolleyes:
Consider what is going to happen when you must leave them, say in an emergency? How do you think they are going to react if they have never been left by themselves? :-)

Heidi
Leigh is right.
A puppy is a dog - not a human baby. I don't advocate leaving them all day but I also would not have it so that they rule my life. Every dog I have had has been weaned gradually onto longer periods of time being left on it's own.
There will be a time when you HAVE to leave it on it's own and I'd find it less worrying knowing my dog was prepared for this and not suddenly "thrown in at the deep end" X months down the line.
I have an outside kennel and run and when we got Phoebie I used to go out for no reason just so that she got used to being out there for increasing periods of time. She has not suffered by this IMO
Sara :)

don't get me wrong I make allowances for owning dogs and trips out are quicker than they were before owning them but I am not housebound either ;)

John I totally agree with you here, if this person is for real then I found her reply's quite rude when people were giving advise?

As for not leaving your dogs, Leigh is very correct in her reply to you, None of us like to leave our dogs at all but life is life and you have to some of the time. You care and love your doggie's nothing wrong with that but as leigh said be careful :)

Julieann

I am not saying that I willnever leave them for a x amount of time I am saying that why they are pups I do not go out unnescessary and be away from them. I did leave my others dogs on their own for short periods of time, but since I have had the pup until it is older enough to go with the bigger dogs and has broke its self away from me gradually I choose not to go out. :)

As this guy has his heart set on keeping this pup, I thought it might be a good idea to make some helpful suggestions.

On the feeding issue, in order to feed three meals a day, you can buy special feeding dishes with a timer which you can set to open separate compartments in the dish automatically three times a day. You can even buy them where you can tape your voice onto them calling the dog for dinner, so that it plays when it is open, and doggy knows it's tea time.

To keep doggy occupied, ensure she has plenty of toys, and how about a kong or a ball stuffed with biscuits, so that she can occupy her time trying to retrieve them. Another idea is to leave a radio or television on in her room. That way, doggy feels she isn't alone, and a television gives her something different to look at. Or maybe a seat by the window so she can watch the world go by. A companion, such a a cat, may also provide company.

How about advertising to see if another dog owner who, say, works nights, would like to look after your doggy in the day, and you look after theirs during the evenings? Or do you have any elderly dog loving neighbours, or maybe kids, who could do the walkies for you while you're out. A lot of dog lovers would probably do this for free, just for the love of dogs. You'd be surprised!

Once toilet training has been established, a doggy flap could be a good idea, if you have a secure garden he could use. I have a large cat flap which my two use, and they go in and out with no trouble. Even during the night. This is handy for cold days when you don't feel like standing at the back door waiting for them to come back in.

These are just a few suggestions I've thought of for you. And of course, when you're with her, give her all the love and attention she deserves. Make sure you dedicate a lot of time to her when you ARE around.

I know you mean well Beeny, but this 'guy' should not be encouraged to keep the pup, he has no intention of putting the pup anywhere but at the bottom of his list of priorities, he must know that he should not have had the pup in the first place and the best & kindest thing he can do now is return the pup or have it rehomed before it is so disturbed it will be impossible to repair the damage. :(

Sorry, I didn't mean any harm. I must say though, I have read of many cases where dogs have been left alone and have ended up destroying, and even eating, the furniture and the walls, and the poor things have had to be put to sleep because they are labelled out of control. I do understand all your concerns, especially the person who knew of a pup sired by her dog who had been put to sleep. I was simply suggesting some methods that could be adopted should this dog remain where she is. When I go out shopping etc and my doggies are left alone indoors, they are perfectly happy with a radio, a window seat, plenty of toys, stuffed kongs, dog flap, etc.

I know Beany but your dogs are not babies on their own, having to bring themselves up, as there is not guiding hand, and not being fed, because there is no feeding hand, and has this young man forsaken all his social activities so he can spend his evenings with his puppy, I doubt it. Yours are in a group and you pop out to the shops or the cinema and you pop back and you don't do it for 8 to 10 hours every day, your dogs are fine I'm sure. Jackie